December 11, 2016
THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP: Isaiah 35:4: “Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”” The return of our Lord at the Last Day is a cause of joy and anticipation for us believers. We know our Lord and His love, and we look forward to His Second Advent. Indeed, how we live our lives here and now flows from our certain hope of resurrection and eternal life.
TODAY: Two new adult confirmands are joining our Good Shepherd family this morning. Bill Nelson, the brother of Emily Field. Bill enjoys sports and baking. Ashley Nero, engaged to Bryan Reichert. Ashley’s interests include scrapbooking, zumba, playing with her pets, social work and the Cubs! Please welcome them to our congregation.
MIDWEEK ADVENT WORSHIP: The third of our three Advent Worship Services is this Wednesday, December 14th at 7:00 p.m. The theme for our Advent/Christmas messages is “Family Life”. This week’s sermon is “A List!”. A meal is served at 5:30 p.m. and you may sign-up in the narthex to bring food. The free-will Offering will go to Bethesda Lutheran Communities.
SPECIAL WORSHIP AND BIBLE CLASS: Please join us for worship and Bible Class next Sunday, December 18th, as we have two special things planned for that day. Both the 8:00 and 10:30 worship will be “A Service of Lessons and Carols” led by our Choir. There will be no Holy Communion in either service. Because of this, we will have Holy Communion in both worship services on Sunday, December 11th. Also that morning Karson Lueck will lead the Bible Class. Karson will present part two of his topic, “The Church and Millenials”. We encourage all adults and young people to be part of this timely and interesting study.
2017 OFFERING ENVELOPES: Your 2017 Offering Envelopes are available on the cart that is located in the narthex. We encourage everyone to pick up your envelopes!
IT’S TIME TO ORDER POINSETTIAS: We have a sign-up sheet on the table in the narthex for poinsettias on the altar for Christmas. The cost is $8.00 each and you may sign up until Sunday, December 18th. The poinsettias will be available to be taken home after Epiphany which is on Sunday, January 8th. An envelope is also available with the sign-up sheet for your check or cash. Please make checks payable to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and list “Poinsettia” on memo line. If you have any questions, please contact Jackie Kwasny at (309) 662-4995 or Luanne Huth at (309) 829-6897.
THE LUTHERAN ANNUAL: It’s time again to order your copy of “The Lutheran Annual”, this being the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. The cost is $25.00. If you are interested in obtaining a copy, please contact Janet in the church office or by phone (309) 662-8905 or email at: goodshepherdblm@frontier.com. Or even in person.
MARK YOU CALENDARS: Please be sure to mark your calendars that Good Shepherd will just have one Worship Service at 9:00 a.m. on Christmas Day. The Sunday School and Adult Bible Class will not meet that morning.
FELLOWSHIP HOSTS: The sign-up for help with coffee/doughnuts is posted on the wall by the north stairwell. We need an individual/family to sign-up each week to pick up the donuts and make the coffee. If no one is signed up by Friday of each week, the order will be cancelled. We thank everybody who continues to help with this part of our church fellowship.
YOU ARE INVITED: Christ Lutheran Church in Normal invites you to take a free guided 20 minute walking tour and experience “The Journey” that Mary and Joseph took so many years ago. This tour features indoor and outdoor scenes with live drama, animals and singing. “Journeys begin inside every 10 minutes between 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. TODAY. Free cookies and hot chocolate will be available. Meals are also available for purchase between 4:30 – 7:00 p.m. For more information please call the church at (309) 452-5609.
THE LUTHERAN HOUR: “Peace On Earth, Peace That Lasts” is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from Matthew 1:18-25. What is the key to real and lasting peace on earth? Jesus, God with us. Reverend Dr. Gregory Seltz is the speaker. Hear this Sunday’s message on the Lutheran Hour on WGN (720) at 6:00 a.m.; WJWR (104.7 FM) and WJWR (90.3 FM) both on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Also, if you can receive Lincoln, IL radio station WLLM (1370 AM) the program is broadcast two times on Sunday at 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tune in! You can also listen to The Lutheran Hour on your personal computer at RealAudio, www.lhm.org.
PRAYER CHAIN: If you have a prayer request please submit them by email to Mary Anne Kirchner at makirchner@yahoo.com or you may phone a Prayer Request to Mary Anne; her home # is (309) 661-6522; her cell phone# is (309) 532-2582. The Prayer Request box is on the table in the narthex for any written requests.